(Keywords: Hiking - Tennessee)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Featuring:
Mt. LeConte via the Appalachian Trail, Boulevard Trail and Alum Cave Trail
The views from this hike are simply spectacular. There are many places along this route with great views but the best are at: The Jumpoff with a 1000' vertical drop beneath you; Myrtle Point which offers almost 360 degree views; and Cliff Top with views atop a rock bald. The view at right is typical of several vistas along the The Boulevard Trail which brings you to the the summit of Mount LeConte near where LeConte Lodge is located.
This route has approximately 3,500' of elevation gain over a 15 mile hike. This is not a loop hike so you must arrange a shuttle to get from one end of the hike to the other.
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GPS Map Details
Filename: smoky.gpx
Filesize: 278 KB
Revised: 9 January 2009
Class A Data
Waypoints: 27 points of interest including parking areas, scenic vistas, trail intersections and water sources, like:
01 - Trailhead - Newfound Gap Parking Area - Start on the Appalachian Trail heading northeast.
06 - Mt. Kephart - Take the spur trail over the summit to The Jumpoff vista.
11 - One of many scenic viewpoints along The Boulevard Trail.
18 - Mt. LeConte Summit
23 - Mt. LeConte Lodge - reservations required.
25 - Alum Cave is more of a ledge than a "cave."
Trails: 6 GPS track logs:
Appalachian Trail - from Newfound Gap to junction with Boulevard Trail
The Jumpoff Spur Trail - "Watch your step!"
The Boulevard Trail - from junction with AT to the Lodge at Mt LeConte
Myrtle Point Spur Trail - from Mt LeConte High Top to Myrtle Point
Cliff Tops Spur Trail - Hike to the view atop rock bald.
Alum Cave Trail - from Mt LeConte to Grassy Patch Turnout
Adventure Travel Tip
Be cautious with winter hiking on the Boulevard Trail. This is a wet trail and ice can become a real problem. Ice can also be a problem on the Alum Cave Trail. In places, the trail is carved right out of a cliff and there are no guide rails. Use extreme caution in icy conditions! Also, Newfound Gap road is frequently closed during the winter so make sure the road is open before attempting to drive to the trail head. Check with National park service web site for road closures at:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm
More Info
Advanced reservations are required if you plan to stay at The LeConte Lodge. For more info visit:
http://www.lecontelodge.com/
References:
Special thanks to Jeff for providing the waypoints, tracks and pictures for this GPS map of the Mt LeConte vicinity in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
